Lowerlobe, nobody here has 'stockholm syndrome'. Yes VR has been offered to short haul, but remember that AO cabin crew are already operating services for Qantas. This means that extra 767's and routes will become part of the short haul group's flying. More aircraft, more flying, therefore more flight attendants.
Samford, not all of the AO crew will remain in CNS. Flexible work arrangements work very well in SYD, BNE, MEL and PER. Maybe if CNS is a small base with no casuals, there won't be so many opportunities to change ones roster, however they still have the opportunity to use the system to drop or pickup trips with other FA's in the base.
Anyway the point of my original post was just to state some of the good things about shorthaul, and to wish the AO cabin crew good luck. From the posts on here they seem like a really positive bunch who will bring a lot to the Qantas group. I know who I would rather spend 10 hours in the rear galley with on the way to Hong Kong.